ALS patients at high risk for COVID 19

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neuro-degenerative disease, said Michelle McMullen, care service lead for ALS Association, New Mexico Chapter. It cuts off the brain’s communication to muscles, and then muscles begin to die.

“One thing I thought was super interesting is when they talk about voluntary muscle systems, you don’t think about your diaphragm,” McMullen said. “That’s one of the muscles that can die. In fact, most [of those with ALS] away due to respiratory issues.”

That makes victims of ALS in a high-risk group for the COVID-19 virus. Any person living with ALS is at higher risk with any respiratory issues.

“Pneumonia is something that takes out people [with ALS] more than anything,” she said. “Since their diaphragm is slowly dying, when they breathe, they can’t get all the carbon dioxide out, and the infection just festers.”

McMullen said one of the biggest recommendations for ALS sufferers in regard to the coronavirus is to carefully follow all the guidelines.

“We have really been pushing the stay home,” she said. “We also know you can get cabin fever. Be safe when you go somewhere. Care givers should wear gloves. All of our people with respiratory devices, use as prescribed. Let’s be extra safe.”

There are two kinds of ALS, sporadic and familiar, she said. Most cases are sporadic, the other 5-10 percent are hereditary. If ALS is in your family, there is a chance you will get it. But contrary to popular belief, most cases are not family related.

“At this moment in time, everyone is susceptible because we don’t know what is activating the gene or all the genes involved,” McMullen said. “We have no clue what your chance is of getting this. Veterans are twice as likely to become diagnosed. It does not matter what kind of active service you participated in, just the action of signing those active-duty papers. We also see a lot of athletes. The majority have zero family history.”

The New Mexico chapter immediately stopped in-person support groups, home visits, drop-offs and pickups for its ALS clients as soon as the state announced its first coronavirus cases.

“We are still here available digitally, as well as by phone,” McMullen said. “The loan closet is still full force, just taking a little longer because of the precautions. They are our families, and we need to be able to keep them safe. I think because we are so involved, we are really up to date with what they need, and we were able to get them what they really needed before this happened.